THERMAL ACTIVITY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 179, 1 August 1933, Page 6

THERMAL ACTIVITY

jgOTORUA'S PENT-UP FORCES AN OBSERVATORY NEEDED [ Per Press Association. 1 AUCKLAND, July Sil. After several weeks’ study of the New Zealand thermal region, Dr. H. T. Stearns, of the United States geological survey, strongly advocates the establishment near Rotorua of a v o canic observatory, properly equipped, to register signs of any increase in thermal activity and so makd possible the prediction of further eruptions. He said that he was impressed by ihe fact that many of the hot moun>ains in the Rotorua district, for instance, Rainbow Mountain, were really active volcanoes. Anyone who had a good look at Frying Pan Flat must gain the impression of pent-up forces >eady at any time for another outburst: in fact, he was inclined to think that there was every possibility of another eruption at Tarawera, if not several eruptions, occurring in the next hundred years. That was way he suggested the establishment of a volcanic observatory. It was perfectly possible io predict volcanic eruptions. Professor J. A. Bartrum, geologistat the University College, commented i hat it was impossible either to affirm or deny that another eruption might occur at Tarawera. It should be pointed out that Dr. Stearns did not say that he actually saw portents that an ether eruption was imminent. His re marks were far more general than that. Professor Bartrum said that the value of a volcanic observatory was unquestioned, and to neglect precautions which science now placed at our disposal was to be content to live in a tool’s paradise.